opened, clearly visible to Rip and Koa because that side of the
cruiser was brilliant with sunlight. Ten snapper-boats sped forth. Rip was
certain now that this was the enemy cruiser they had fought off back in
the asteroid belt. Two Connie snapper-boats had been destroyed in that
clash, which explained why the commander was sending out only ten boats,
instead of the full quota of twelve.

The squadron instantly formed a V, like a strange space letter made up of
globes. The sun's gravity pulled at them, dragging them off course. Rip
watched as flames poured from their stern tubes. They were firing full
speed ahead, but the drag of the sun distorted their line of flight into a
great arc.

Rip saw the strategy instantly. The Connie commander knew the situation
exactly, and he was staking everything in one great gamble, sending his
snapper-boats to land on the asteroid--to crash land if necessary.

The asteroid was so close to the sun that even the powerful fighting
rockets would use most of their fuel in simply combatting its gravity.

"All hands stand by to repel Connies," Rip shouted, and drew his pistol.
He looked into the magazine, saw that he had a full clip, and then charged
the weapon.

Santos was crouched over the rocket launcher, his space gloves working
rapidly as he kept the rockets pointed at the enemy.

Rip called, "Santos, fire at will."

The Planeteers formed a skirmish line which pivoted on the launcher. Only
Kemp remained at work. His torch flared, slicing through the thorium as he
prepared their firing position.

The atomic charge was ready. The wires had been laid up to the rim of the
crater in which Kemp worked, and the dynamo was attached.

Rip was everywhere, checking on the launcher, on Kemp, on the pistols of
his men. And Santos, hunched over his illuminated sight, watched the
Connie snapper-boats draw near.

"Here we go," the Filipino corporal muttered. He pressed the trigger.

The first rocket sped outward in a sweeping curve, and for a moment Rip
opened his mouth to yell at Santos. The sun's gravity affected the attack
rockets, too! Then he saw that the corporal had allowed for the sun's
pull.

The rocket curved into the squadron of oncoming boats and they all tried
to dodge at once. Two of them met in a sideways crash, then a third
staggered as its stern globe flared and exploded. Santos had scored a hit!

Rip called, "Good shooting!"

The corporal's reply was rueful, "Sir, that